We, the Raykat of Malaysia, pledge ourselves as ONE united Malaysian regardless of Melayu, Cina, India, Iban, Bajau, Kadazan-Dusun,etc, to build a racial discrimination-free society based on equality and the principle of meritocracy so as to ensure the rich and well-endowed are justly taxed to help the poor, less fortunate and underprivileged.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

I don't have to be a Malaysian history expert or professor to talk about the formation of Malaysia. Tunku Abdul Rahman "invited" Brunei, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore to form "Federation of Malaysia" with Malaya. Therefore, Brunei, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore could have more privileges and special rights than "any of the states in Malaya", in short, they should not be deemed as just one of the states in the Federation of Malaysia, they ought to be treated as a "treaty-member" with Malaya!

Let's look at Brunei in Part-1:-------------------------------------------

The Brunei Sultanate would have ceased to exist as an independent state without Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saiffuddien.In August 1963, Indonesia was opposing the proposed Federation of Malaysia and confronting Malaya and Singapore. Only eight months earlier, on 8 December 1962, Brunei had faced a revolt by Sheikh Azahari of the Partai Rakyat Brunei (PRB) and British forces from Singapore had flown in to put down the rebellion.It was a time of great peril when the Sultan decided not to join the proposed Federation. Singapore went ahead and joined the Federation. Sultan Omar Ali was under great pressure from the British who had hinted that they would be leaving the region soon. But he stood firm.He put his position as Sultan and the fate of his people on the line. His judgment was that the British would be responsible enough to give him some time to get his country in better shape before British forces left.

The late Sultan was a modest man. He was soft-spoken, with a frequent smile when speaking to his friends. He lived a simple and frugal life.On May 1961, Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Malayan Prime Minister, at an address to the Foreign Correspondents Association in Singapore, mooted the formation of Malaysia, to include Brunei, Sarawak, North Borneo (subsequently to be named Sabah), Singapore and Malaya.On 5 December 1961, Sultan Sir Omar Ali described the Malaysia proposal as very attractive. In January 1962, he appointed a Brunei-Malaysia Commission to report on the opinion of the people. On 18 July 1962, the Sultan stated that he accepted the Malaysia proposal in principal, but that did not necessarily mean it was final.If agreement could not be reached on important conditions affecting benefits to the people and the state, Brunei would not participate in the Malaysia plan.In August 1962, the Partai Rakyat Brunei (PRB) won a landslide election victory in four District Councils, which in turn would choose 16 members for the Legislative Council (LegCo). The PRB won 54 seats and had all the 16 members required for the LegCo.But they could not form the government. The 17 government nominees outnumbered the PRB in the 33-member Council. Sheikh Azahari, leader of the PRB, rejected the proposal that Brunei join the proposed Malaysian Federation.Azahari put forward three motions at the LegCo meeting, for 5 December 1962; first, to reject the proposal of a Malaysian Federation; second, to request the restoration of Brunei's sovereignty over Sarawak and North Borneo and the installation of the Sultan as constitutional monarch of the North Borneo Federation; and third, a request to the British to grant independence to Brunei not later than 1963.The Speaker of the LegCo disallowed the motions because the issues fell within the purview of the British government under the 1959 British-Brunei Agreement. Sheikh Azahari, the PRB leader then decided to resort to a military solution and staged a rebellion led by its military wing, Tentera Nasional Kalimantan Utara (TNKU).The revolt began on December 8. It was put down in short order by British forces flown in from Singapore. On 20 December, Sultan Omar Ali declared a State of Emergency, suspended the Constitution, dissolved the LegCo, and appointed a 14-member Emergency Council comprising four ex-officio members, including the British High Commissioner, Sir Denis White, and 10 members nominated by the Sultan.Negotiations on Malaysia were resumed in earnest following the end of the rebellion. The sultan did not accept the terms that Malaya offered him. When the Malaysia Agreement was signed on 9 July 1963 in London, Singapore, North Borneo and Sarawak signed on. Brunei did not. He was very firm in his decision not to join. As a result, after Malaysia was formed on 16 September 1963, Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, recalled hundreds of Malaysian teachers and government officers seconded to serve the Brunei administration. Their departure caused a temporary dislocation in Brunei.Several accounts were given to explain the reason for Brunei's decision not to join the Malaysian Federation. One account cited disagreement over oil revenues as the primary cause. Kuala Lumpur wanted Brunei to hand over control of its oil to the federal government after 10 years. Kuala Lumpur also wanted to immediately tax any new oil and mineral finds discovered after Brunei joined Malaysia and to make the Sultan's contribution of $40 million to the federal revenues compulsory rather than voluntary. The Sultan was said to have found these terms unacceptable.Another account from Kuala Lumpur alluded to the Sultan's unhappiness over the issue of royal precedence. Sir Omar was neither willing to compromise Brunei's control over its oil revenues nor ready to have his privileges as the Ruler of Brunei curtailed. More to the point, the vibes that Sultan Omar Ali felt during the negotiations were that he would become subordinate to Kuala Lumpur's leaders and he would rank behind Malaysian's nine Sultans in seniority, besides giving up a chunk of this oil wealth to KL. He met Lee Kuan Yuan soon after Singapore was asked to leave Malaysia in August 1965, he nodded with satisfaction that his decision not to join was wiser than Singapore's acceptance of Malaysia.Just over two months after Malaysia was formed, on 1 December 1963, the British Colonial Office cut its long-term connection with Brunei. The British High Commissioner in Brunei, no longer called the British Resident, henceforth would deal with Secretary of State for Commonwealth.When the Labour Government took office in 1964, it became clear that sooner or later they would withdraw their forces from east of Suez. This would jeopardise Brunei's secure position as a protectorate. British advisers pressed the Sultan to hasten the implementation of constitutional reforms so that there could be a democratic government in place. In March 1965, a second general election was held for District and Legislative Councillors. 36 candidates contested for 10 LegCo seats in the 21-member LegCo that would comprise six ex-officio members and five members nominated by the Sultan. 88 candidates fought for seats in four Districts Councils. A large number of candidates contesting under political parties were defeated by independents because the political parties were weak.On 4 October 1967, Sultan Omar Ali, then aged only 53, abdicated in favour of his 21-year-old son, Hassanal Bolkiah, born on July 1946. It was a strategic move he made to buy time before a British withdrawal. Protracted negotiations with the British on Brunei's future continued following the abdication. The Sultan, now the Seri Begawan, dragged out the discussions. He wanted the son to get familiar with the administration. Moreover, his son was only 21 years old. He deflected pressure to adopt the British adversarial Parliamentary system.He argued with the British that he needed a few years for the young Sultan to learn the ropes and strengthen the domestic situation ahead of any constitutional changes. He bought time from 1963 to 1983, over 20 years, when the British finally withdrew, and Brunei became an independent state. Without the skilful and determined stand taken by Sultan Omar Ali in the full knowledge that he was risking the future of his Sultanate if the British were to leave precipitately, he saved his dynasty, delayed majority rule before Brunei was ready, and secured Brunei's continued defence by an agreement to pay for one British Gurkha battalion that would stay in Brunei but under British control. A discreet presence remained.The Seri Begawan has preserved Brunei's oil wealth. He left the bulk of his country's reserves with the Crown Agents to manage. He was fortunate that Britain acted with responsibility. Most of all, the Seri Begawan played his hand with considerable skill. He pleaded for time to educate enough local Bruneians who could manage the administration of the country.

Less than three years after independence, on 7 September, 1986, he passed away. He was deeply mourned by the people of Brunei. They knew that he had saved their independence and are able to live as they wish, keeping their oil wealth. It was Sir Omar's statecraft. He built the infrastructure of state. By the 1980s, he had given the sultanate's 200,000 people a high per capita income of US$20,000, among the world's most privileged. He strengthened Brunei's Islamic institutions.Sultan Omar Ali took calculated risks with courage. He has a keen sense of what was politically possible. During the 17 years from 1950 to 1967, he brought economic, social and political developments to Brunei. With two Five-Year Development Plans, he provided for an education system throughout the state.He built schools to teach English, gave scholarships to promising young students to study in overseas institutions. He provided school children with at least one free meal a day. Religious schools were given high priority. Hospitals, clinics were set up and dental services to schools were provided.He eradicated dysentery and malaria. He provided electricity for the whole state. He developed the roads and telecommunication system. He reclaimed swamp lands and resettled people.He set up the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment in 1961, which evolved into the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. The Currency Board was established in 1967. Sultan Omar Ali has ensured the survival of an independent Malay Muslim monarchy at the end of the 20th century.He has built a strong foundation before passing the mantle to his eldest son. His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has guided Brunei since independence in 1984, a 25-year period, during which Brunei has progressed in material and social terms.The old Sultan would have been happy to know that an independent Sultanate in Brunei has progressed in the quarter century after independence. His son, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, has preserved his heritage. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has continued to expand the numbers of abler Bruneians who are educated abroad, and created a thicker layer of the higher educated and well-informed elite.

In December 1964, a year after Malaysia was formed, the Malaysian government decided to terminate the Board of Commissioners of Currency and to issue a new currency for Malaya, Singapore and the Borneo territories, including Brunei.The Malaya-British Borneo Currency Agreement was terminated two years later. The Malaysian government in Kuala Lumpur declined Brunei's request that it be given a seat on the policy-making body. Also, Malaysia opposed Brunei's request that the portrait of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia should not appear on the new notes. Hence, Brunei enacted legislation in January 1967 to form its own Currency Board.During one of the Sultan Haji Omar Ali visits to Singapore after independence, he had smiled broadly and, with his eyes twinkling and his moustache twitching, saying to Lee Kuan Yew, "You are now like Brunei. It is better for you."

If Brunei joined the Federation of Malaysia, the state of Brunei would be poorer, much much poorer! And we the West Malaysians would be much much happier to have another obedient and stupid natural resources supplier, at cheapest cost! sigh, we failed to con them into our "Malaysia Plot" and now better known as "1Malaysia Plot"...------------------------------------------------------Please stay-tuned for Part (2): Singapore

I wrote about the importance of 2-party system to "empower" the system of Monarchy in Malaysia. With Pakatan Rakyat emerging as a strong alternative to be reckoned with, Umno-led BN will do anything and everything to soothe, pacify, appease and please all the Rulers in the various States of Malaysia (if Pakatan Rakyat happens to form the next Federal Government, they will do likewise)!!GONE were the days when Umno "instructed" Raja-Raja to behave themselves...Tuanku, you may want to thank Pakatan Rakyat for the special surprised gifts from Umno! No worries, Pakatan Rakyat will present you with better gifts if they form the next Government of Malaysia.--------------------------------------THE CORRIDORS OF POWERWhy the Pakatan Rakyat government was brought down in Perak Raja Petra KamarudinWe all know what happened in Perak. What many do not know is why it happened.If you can remember, it took one week for the Perak and Selangor state governments to get sworn in after the March 2008 general election. The Sultans of these two states wanted to first ‘discuss the matter’ with the Pakatan Rakyat State Assemblypersons. The Sultans then set certain terms and conditions before agreeing to swear in the new Pakatan Rakyat state governments.This gap of one week allowed the old Barisan Nasional state governments time to remove and destroy quite a lot of very damaging evidence of the wrongdoings of the previous governments.The one-week delay also allowed Barisan Nasional to negotiate the possibility of PAS teaming up with Umno to form the state governments in Perak and Selangor. Umno even agreed that PAS would become the Menteris Besar of these two states. And, to add icing to the cake, Umno even agreed to allow PAS to implement Islamic laws in these two states.But PAS stayed loyal to their two other partners in Pakatan Rakyat, PKR and DAP, and they declined Umno’s offer. Finally, the two Sultans had no choice but to swear in the Pakatan Rakyat state governments in Perak and Selangor. But this did not stop them from plotting behind the scenes on how to bring down the governments.The Sultan of Selangor was quite prepared to consider the whole matter a fait accompli. After all, Pakatan Rakyat in Selangor had a clear majority and it would be quite difficult to buy off so many State Assemblypersons. But Perak was another matter altogether. Pakatan Rakyat’s majority in Perak was thinner than in Selangor.As soon as the new state government had been put in place, the Sultan of Perak began asking for this, that and the other. The Pakatan Rakyat Perak state government would have been quite prepared to tolerate some of the demands of the Perak Palace for the sake of maintaining a good relationship with the Palace. But what the Sultan and his family wanted was just too excessive and the Pakatan Rakyat Perak state government had no choice but to say no to the Sultan’s demands.And this, of course, upset the Sultan. So, when Pakatan Rakyat lost its majority in the Perak State Assembly, it did not take too much persuading for the Sultan to agree to swear in a new Barisan Nasional state government.At first, the Sultan was not too sure whether he should kick out the Pakatan Rakyat state government in favour of a Barisan Nasional government. When the Pakatan Rakyat Menteri Besar, Nizar Jamaluddin, went before the Sultan to request that the State Assembly be dissolved to make way for fresh state elections, the Sultan said he would think about it first. But immediately after that the Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak, went to meet the Sultan and the Sultan was persuaded to reject the Pakatan Rakyat request to dissolve the State Assembly and instead he swore in Barisan Nasional as the new state government.Najib’s ‘persuasion’ was simple. Nazrin, his son, should not be the Raja Muda of Perak. And this means he should also not be the next Sultan. And in the event that the Sultan dies, as surely he will one day, the federal government will not support Nazrin as the next Sultan of Perak. See what happened to Negeri Sembilan. Although the Yamtuan appointed his son as the regent, this does not mean he becomes the next Yamtuan.So, Nazrin’s succession to the Perak throne depends on the goodwill of the federal government. But only if the state government is a Barisan Nasional government will there be this goodwill. If Pakatan Rakyat remains the state government, then expect Nazrin to pay the price when his time comes to succeed his father.Furthermore, the Sultan and his family has asked for a lot of things from the Pakatan Rakyat state government, all of which they rejected. Umno will ensure that the Sultan and his family get whatever they want if Barisan Nasional takes over as the Perak state government.And with that Pakatan Rakyat’s fate was sealed. The Sultan swore in Barisan Nasional as the new Perak state government and Pakatan Rakyat was sent into the opposition aisle.What was it that the Sultan and his family wanted which Pakatan Rakyat said no to and which Barisan Nasional has now said yes? Yes, let us see how in just a few months the Sultan and his family has suddenly become one of the richest royal families in Malaysia, of course, at the expense of Pakatan Rakyat.1. Umno gave the Sultan a piece of state land known as lot 183578. The land is approximately 600 acres in size and is at Tanjong Tualang in the district of Kinta. This land has been parked under the name of the Sultan’s proxy, Mohamed Khaair Johari Hj Osman.2. Umno gave the Sultan a 1,000-acre timber concession along the 11km Gerik-Kupang highway in Ulu Kenderong, Gerik, Hulu Perak. This concession was originally given to Universiti Utara Malaysia. However, it was later revoked and given to Pusat Kreatif Kanak-Kanak whose Chairman is Raja Datuk Seri Ashman Shah Ibni Sultan Azlan Shah.3. Umno gave the Sultan seven timber concessions at compartments 39, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 and 49 in the Kenderong Forest Reserve in Hulu Perak. The seven lots, which come to approximately 600 acres, were parked under two proxy companies of the Sultan -- Syarikat Zotonjaya Sdn Bhd and Kibaran Wang Sdn Bhd.4. Umno is about to approve a proposal for reforestation involving 10,781 hectares. 5,781 hectares is at the Gunung Besout Forest Reserve in Southern Perak while 5,000 hectares is at Pondok Tanjung in the Larut Matang district. The company that will get this huge project is Permatang Utama Sdn Bhd (company registration number 513583-D) whose Executive Chairman is Datuk Seri Ismail Farouk Abdullah, the Sultan’s son-in-law.5. Further to that, Datuk Seri Ismail Farouk Abdullah was allowed to take over the state-owned Casuarina Hotel in Ipoh for a negotiated cut throat price of only RM43 million whereas it can fetch a far higher price on the open market. The hotel is located in one of the most prime land in Ipoh and just the empty land alone is worth a huge amount of money.It is not that the Perak Royal Family is destitute. It is more like they are greedy. Raja Datuk Seri Eleena Azlan Shah is a Director of GAMUDA BERHAD and is Malaysia's 25th richest person with assets worth over RM 773 million. This makes her the second richest woman in Malaysia after Puan Sri Chong Chook Yew, who occupies the number 18 slot with more than RM 1 billion in assets.Gamuda Berhad has been awarded more than RM10 billion worth of contracts. It also operates and maintains 230 kilometres of highways plus is a major township and property developer with four township projects involving more than 30,000 houses.So there you have it. Perakians, in particular the Malays, think that the opposition is not showing the Sultan of Perak the respect he deserves. What they do not know is the Sultan does not deserve any respect. And many are also not aware why the Sultan wanted Pakatan Rakyat kicked out of Perak.Now, we hope, they do.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

KUALA KRAU, Sept 24 – The Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah, has called on the people to continue supporting the government so that more social, economic and educational developments would be implemented for them.He said the people should stick with the Barisan Nasional (BN) government as the development agenda lined-up for the short and long term would bring them continuous benefits.The construction of the RM64 million Kuala Krau bridge across the Pahang river was just one example of the sustainable developments that would benefit the people living along the riverbanks, he said.“The Kuala Krau bridge will help reduce the time spent for making the 55km trip between Bandar Tun Razak in Jengka and Kuala Krau, to just 20 minutes from one hour previously.“Besides, the bridge will also act as catalyst for economic development in Bandar Tun Razak, Jerantut and Temerloh. It will also benefit 60,000 people in Jerantut, Temerloh and Maran by reducing the trip to just 22km,” he told reporters after visiting the construction site here today.Also present were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, Kuala Krau Member of Parliament Datuk Ismail Mohamad Said and Jenderak assemblyman Datuk Mohamad Jaafar.The Sultan also called on the Public Works Department (JKR) to ensure that a motorcycle lane be built on the bridge to ensure the safety of motorcyclists.Earlier, state JKR director Datuk Rosman Yahaya said the construction of the bridge, which began in August 2007, was expected to be completed by next February.He said it was 82 per cent completed, adding that the four-lane bridge, with its attractive design, would also be the new landmark for the Kuala Krau constituency. – Bernama

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Dearest Tuanku:

Patik is writing to you to inform you that the emergence of Pakatan Rakyat is to the benefits of Malaysia's constitutional Monarchy.

If my memory serves me right, since early 80s Umno has come into conflict with Sultans and Palaces of various States, and patik believe that Tuanku has full knowledge of where the conflicts originated from -- it is none of than the "Conflict of Interests and Power".

If Tuanku is to promote and support UMNO to have absolute power, then patik can guarantee that UMNO will launch another round of constitutional amendment to reduce the power of Monarchy so they can rule this country with blatant disregard to the rule of law.

Rakyat are looking up to the Monarchy as a pillar to safeguard the rights of the Rakyat (be it Muslims or Non-Muslims) and be the head and protector of Islamic faith.

Tuanku may forget that how you and your Royal brothers in Malaysia were embarassed and humiliated by UMNO in the press and TV controlled by UMNO and it was Tengku Razaleigh who went against all odds to defend the dignity of Monarchy in parliament. However, the opposition led by Tengku Razaleigh in the 90s was too weak to defend the Monarchy. The good news is we have Pakatan Rakyat today, Tuanku, don't you understand the tactic of "divide and rule"? Isn't it true that the Sultans of Selangor, Perak, Perlis and Terrenganu can talk "louder" to UMNO today? And your Royal brothers of Perak, Trenganu and Perlis can now have their choice of Menteri Besars, which could never happen before March 2008 and without Pakatan Rakyat UMNO can easily cultivate absolute power and eventually overshadow the Monarchy. Both UMNO and Pakatan Rakyat are desperately after you and your Royal brothers today, UMNO won't "hentam" royal palace anymore in newspaper or TV as they did in the 80s and 90s, instead, they will "grant" Tuanku more logging concessions to win your support and endorsement, UMNO warlords will have to think twice when they come into conflict of interests with palace, because this triangle love has unexpectedly empowered Tuanku and your Royal brothers to really "rule" the state.

Tuanku, the late Sultan of Selangor knew his Menteri Besar was involved in corruption and His Majesty even threw a copy of cheque in front of Tun Dr. Mahathir and asked why a Menteri Besar of His state could amass unexplained wealth of such a huge amount, His Majesty wanted Tun Dr. Mahathir to do something about it and as we know Tun Dr. Mahathir did not do anything about it --isn't it an act of treason "derhaka"!!...Tuanku, weren't you be informed of this incident?

Tuanku, the relevancy of Monarchy lies with how much the Sultans care for His subjects and protect the Rakyat against the brutal rule of corrupt regime. Tuanku, you may not have experienced or suffered from poverty before, but patik can tell you that there are many of your subjects who are still earning as little as RM500 per month and due to poor management of resources and corruption, many of your subjects still fail to progress as they ought to. Those states without Sultans like Sabah, Sarawak, Penang, Melaka, Kuala Lumpur, UMNO MEN are behaving like Sultan and Tuanku, may patik inform you that certain UMNO warlords in Sabah could even be richer than you, and the sons of Tun Dr. Mahathir and Tun Abdullah Badawi are much much much more richer than your Tengku Mahkota.

Tuanku, patik believe that you are a great Sultan who really cares for the wellbeing of your subjects...what UMNO told us about your extravagant spending overseas are all nonsense and rubbish to me. Patik wishes your good health and longevity!

I love my country and I pray for a progressive, peaceful and prosperous Malaysia!

A Fair & Equal Society

About Me

I can only comfort my soul by writing about things that trouble my soul...and therefore, i pour out my soul when writting about what trouble my soul! I kill insomnia by writing, I eradicate loneliness by writing, I find peace in writing, I shed my tears and have my moment of anguish throughout each "writing journey"...writing is the only way that I can smoothly express my ambivalent and mixed feelings towards certain issues, it appeases and agitates me at the same time!...In real life, my mind always wrestles with my conscience, more often than not, the former defeats the latter; in writing, my conscience is always triumphant! Writing allows me to embark on the odyssey of the unknown to seek out the truth on my own! I abhor all forms of racism and corrupt practices by the Barisan Nasional (BN) government of Malaysia. I am against social injustices and widespread corruption in Malaysia. Dear readers, thanks for visiting my blog and reading my articles, you're either with me or against me! Nevertheless, each one of us is entitled to his/her opinion. I believe in the freedom of speech!

Since Islam is the Official Religion of Malaysia, do you think it's feasible we first impose Hudud Law on all Cabinet Ministers, they must sign "Aku Janji" and if they are caught in corruption scandal and proven guilty, we chop off their hand.

In Malaysia, we have 3 types of primary schools using Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil as language of instruction respectively, Do you think we should set up English primary schools so as to foster national unity and uplift national English proficiency?

Dr. Mahathir Once Said: "If we discount the non-Malay contribution to the nation’s economy, Malaysia would be not much better than some of the African developing countries". Do you agree?

Umno, you must have a big picture for Malaysia and think outside the box!

NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

Visitors

Why Can't We Just Get Along? Since you and I are the creation of God, why can't we just get along?

"As I have said elsewhere, to ensure sustained success at nation-building, Malaysians of all races, religions, and geographic locations need to believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that they have a place under the Malaysian sun."-Dr. Nazrin Shah, Crown Prince of Perak